More than half a century after the final Apollo lunar mission, four astronauts have traveled to the vicinity of the moon once again.

NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with the Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen, lifted off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center last week for a 10-day journey that took them beyond the moon’s far side.

Their trajectory took them farther from Earth than any humans have traveled before, and during a seven-hour flyby, the astronauts could enjoy views of the lunar surface previously unseen by human eyes.

NASA has long billed the Artemis lunar exploration program as a stepping stone for exploring deeper into the cosmos.

Artemis II was a test flight that circumnavigated the moon and did not land on the surface. But it will serve as a pathfinder mission for the uncrewed Artemis III mission, which is expected to touch down near the moon’s largely unexplored south pole.

The Artemis program’s overarching goal is to hash out how humans can permanently live and work on the lunar surface.

Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman is assisted off the flight deck after arriving aboard USS John P. Murtha after he and fellow crewmates were extracted from their Orion spacecraft in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, on April 10.
Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman is assisted off the flight deck after arriving aboard USS John P. Murtha after he and fellow crewmates were extracted from their Orion spacecraft in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, on April 10.
Bill Ingalls/NASA
Artemis II pilot Victor Glover, left, and Artemis II mission specialist Christina Koch talk with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after they and fellow crewmates were extracted from their Orion spacecraft in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, on April 10.
Artemis II pilot Victor Glover, left, and Artemis II mission specialist Christina Koch talk with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after they and fellow crewmates were extracted from their Orion spacecraft in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, on April 10.
Bill Ingalls/NASA
NASA’s Orion spacecraft, with crew members aboard, lands safely in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on April 10.
NASA’s Orion spacecraft, with crew members aboard, lands safely in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on April 10.
Bill Ingalls/NASA
The crew spotted the Milky Way on the way back to Earth on April 7.
The crew spotted the Milky Way on the way back to Earth on April 7.
NASA
Orion's solar array camera captures a selfie with the moon and Earth in one frame.
Orion's solar array camera captures a selfie with the moon and Earth in one frame.
NASA
Sunlight appears from behind the moon as totality ends from the crew's perspective.
Sunlight appears from behind the moon as totality ends from the crew's perspective.
NASA
The rugged topography of the moon can be seen near the terminator, or the line that appears to divide the illuminated and unilluminated sides.
The rugged topography of the moon can be seen near the terminator, or the line that appears to divide the illuminated and unilluminated sides.
NASA
Totality, beyond Earth. From Artemis II's vantage point, the moon eclipses the sun, revealing a view few in human history have ever witnessed.
Totality, beyond Earth. From Artemis II's vantage point, the moon eclipses the sun, revealing a view few in human history have ever witnessed.
NASA
Astronauts Victor Glover, left, and Christina Koch take photos of the lunar surface during the lunar flyby.
Astronauts Victor Glover, left, and Christina Koch take photos of the lunar surface during the lunar flyby.
NASA
A close-up view of the Vavilov Crater, on the rim of the older and larger Hertzsprung basin.
A close-up view of the Vavilov Crater, on the rim of the older and larger Hertzsprung basin.
NASA
Part of the moon is visible as the Artemis II crew witnesses a solar eclipse. To the left is bright Venus.
Part of the moon is visible as the Artemis II crew witnesses a solar eclipse. To the left is bright Venus.
NASA
Two small craters to the top left of the Orientale basin were named by the Artemis II astronauts during the mission: Integrity, named after the crew's nickname for the Orion spacecraft, and Carroll, after astronaut Reid Wiseman's late wife.
Two small craters to the top left of the Orientale basin were named by the Artemis II astronauts during the mission: Integrity, named after the crew's nickname for the Orion spacecraft, and Carroll, after astronaut Reid Wiseman's late wife.
NASA
The first photo from the far side of the Moon, captured from Orion as Earth dips beyond the lunar horizon.
The first photo from the far side of the Moon, captured from Orion as Earth dips beyond the lunar horizon.
NASA
Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen is seen through a window of the Orion spacecraft while en route to the moon on day 4 of the Artemis II mission. The "selfie" was taken using a camera on one of the spacecraft's solar array wings.
Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen is seen through a window of the Orion spacecraft while en route to the moon on day 4 of the Artemis II mission. The "selfie" was taken using a camera on one of the spacecraft's solar array wings.
NASA
Koch looks at Earth from one of the Orion spacecraft's windows on April 4.
Koch looks at Earth from one of the Orion spacecraft's windows on April 4.
NASA
The Artemis II crew took this photo of the moon, which shows parts of its far side. This was <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F04%2F04%2Fscience%2Fartemis-2-images-halfway-to-the-moon">the first time</a> humans have seen the moon's Orientale basin, according to NASA.
The Artemis II crew took this photo of the moon, which shows parts of its far side. This was the first time humans have seen the moon's Orientale basin, according to NASA.
NASA
A camera on Orion's solar array wings shows the moon in the distance on April 3.
A camera on Orion's solar array wings shows the moon in the distance on April 3.
NASA
Koch reads on a tablet while Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen peers out of one of Orion’s windows.
Koch reads on a tablet while Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen peers out of one of Orion’s windows.
NASA
One of the first photos released from the mission showed Earth from the Orion spacecraft’s window on April 2. Two auroras can be seen at the top right and bottom left, and zodiacal light is visible on the bottom right as the Earth eclipses the Sun.
One of the first photos released from the mission showed Earth from the Orion spacecraft’s window on April 2. Two auroras can be seen at the top right and bottom left, and zodiacal light is visible on the bottom right as the Earth eclipses the Sun.
Reid Wiseman/NASA
Earth peeks behind a window of the Orion spacecraft.
Earth peeks behind a window of the Orion spacecraft.
NASA
A man in Titusville, Florida, takes a photo of the moon after watching the Artemis II launch on April 1.
A man in Titusville, Florida, takes a photo of the moon after watching the Artemis II launch on April 1.
Marco Bello/Reuters
In this long-exposure photo, the Artemis II rocket leaves behind a trail of dust.
In this long-exposure photo, the Artemis II rocket leaves behind a trail of dust.
Keegan Barber/NASA
People react to the launch in Titusville.
People react to the launch in Titusville.
Marco Bello/Reuters
NASA's Artemis II mission launches from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
NASA's Artemis II mission launches from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The livestream of the launch is played at Dodger Stadium before a Major League Baseball game in Los Angeles.
The livestream of the launch is played at Dodger Stadium before a Major League Baseball game in Los Angeles.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images
Bruno, a child dressed as an astronaut, watches a live broadcast of the launch in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
Bruno, a child dressed as an astronaut, watches a live broadcast of the launch in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
Loved ones and colleagues wave to the Artemis II crew as they leave for the launchpad.
Loved ones and colleagues wave to the Artemis II crew as they leave for the launchpad.
Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
From left, Artemis II astronauts Jeremy Hansen, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch walk out before traveling to the launchpad to board the Orion spacecraft.
From left, Artemis II astronauts Jeremy Hansen, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch walk out before traveling to the launchpad to board the Orion spacecraft.
Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
NASA-themed buttons are displayed as space enthusiasts gather at a Titusville park several hours before the launch.
NASA-themed buttons are displayed as space enthusiasts gather at a Titusville park several hours before the launch.
Miguel J Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP/Getty Images
Space enthusiasts begin to gather at a park in Titusville, several hours before the launch.
Space enthusiasts begin to gather at a park in Titusville, several hours before the launch.
Miguel J Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP/Getty Images
The Artemis II rocket and spacecraft is returned to a launchpad at the Kennedy Space Center on March 20. Just a few hours into a pre-launch test called a wet dress rehearsal in early February, launch controllers found that enough super-chilled liquid hydrogen fuel <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F02%2F18%2Fscience%2Fartemis-2-nasa-hydrogen-leaks">was leaking at the launchpad</a> to prompt safety concerns. The hydrogen leaks kept cropping up, forcing NASA to halt fuel flow to the rocket multiple times.
The Artemis II rocket and spacecraft is returned to a launchpad at the Kennedy Space Center on March 20. Just a few hours into a pre-launch test called a wet dress rehearsal in early February, launch controllers found that enough super-chilled liquid hydrogen fuel was leaking at the launchpad to prompt safety concerns. The hydrogen leaks kept cropping up, forcing NASA to halt fuel flow to the rocket multiple times.
Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Getty Images
The full moon rises behind the Artemis II rocket and spacecraft before a wet dress rehearsal on February 1.
The full moon rises behind the Artemis II rocket and spacecraft before a wet dress rehearsal on February 1.
John Kraus/NASA
Children meet Artemis II crew members at the Kennedy Space Center on January 17.
Children meet Artemis II crew members at the Kennedy Space Center on January 17.
Kenny Holston/The New York Times/Redux
The Artemis II mission patch is seen on the right shoulder of the suits that the crew will wear during the mission on January 17.
The Artemis II mission patch is seen on the right shoulder of the suits that the crew will wear during the mission on January 17.
Joel Kowsky/NASA
NASA's Space Launch System rocket with the Orion crew capsule rolls from the vehicle assembly building to the launchpad on January 17.
NASA's Space Launch System rocket with the Orion crew capsule rolls from the vehicle assembly building to the launchpad on January 17.
Joe Skipper/Reuters
Glover and Koch participate in lunar observations training in a replica of the Orion spacecraft at Johnson Space Center in Houston in July 2025.
Glover and Koch participate in lunar observations training in a replica of the Orion spacecraft at Johnson Space Center in Houston in July 2025.
James Blair/NASA
Teams work to recover a full-scale replica of the Orion spacecraft as they practice Artemis recovery operations off the coast of California in March 2025. NASA and Department of Defense teams were practicing to recover the Artemis II crew after splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
Teams work to recover a full-scale replica of the Orion spacecraft as they practice Artemis recovery operations off the coast of California in March 2025. NASA and Department of Defense teams were practicing to recover the Artemis II crew after splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
Joel Kowsky/NASA
The Artemis II core stage, the largest component of the rocket, is prepared for delivery in New Orleans in July 2024.
The Artemis II core stage, the largest component of the rocket, is prepared for delivery in New Orleans in July 2024.
Michael DeMocker/NASA
From left, Hansen, Glover, Wiseman and Koch can be seen speaking on stage as they are announced as the Artemis II crew in Houston in April 2023.
From left, Hansen, Glover, Wiseman and Koch can be seen speaking on stage as they are announced as the Artemis II crew in Houston in April 2023.
Go Nakamura/Reuters